Governor says 17.7 million homebound travellers are expected to enter Central Java

Semarang (ANTARA) - The Governor of Central Java, Ahmad Luthfi, said that at least around 17.7 million homecoming travellers are predicted to enter the province during the Lebaran exodus of 1447 AH. “This year’s forecast for Central Java is about 17.7 million people. Last year it was about 15 million, so there is a significant increase,” he said in Semarang on Thursday. With such a number, he said, all parties must be prepared, because Central Java has become the central hub of the national mudik movement. According to him, the high number of homecoming travellers makes Central Java one of the main nodes of the national mudik movement. Therefore, he said, the Central Java Provincial Government will open an integrated post from H-8 to H+7 Lebaran to anticipate the arrival of millions of homecoming travellers to the region. In addition to traffic security, the government also ensures readiness of provincial road infrastructure. Road repairs are being accelerated and targeted to be completed before H-7 Lebaran. Furthermore, the Central Java Provincial Government will also prepare a free-mudik programme for migrants, providing 340 buses with a total of 16,415 seats that will depart from Jakarta and Bandung on 16 March 2026. For rail, 17 train sets with a capacity of 1,288 passengers are prepared that will depart from Pasar Senen Station to Solo Balapan and Semarang Poncol on 17 March 2026. “This programme is prepared so that our people can mudik more safely and comfortably, while also reducing traffic congestion entering Central Java,” he said.